Policy versus Proposals


Gov. Romney clearly won the debate last night. He remembered to look at the camera, he grinned aggressively, and he told the Moderator what to do. Yet we learned almost nothing specific on what he proposes to do about unemployment, deficits, tax rates, loopholes, or medical care insurance, to name just a few of the items that were "discussed." What we did learn was about policy: Romney favors a minimal role for the federal government in almost every sphere except the military. He made it clear that he thinks the states and private enterprise should take over most of whatever else the feds are doing now. So we are to become the Collected States of America. 

I think he should expand that plan. The US armed forces could be reorganized around the National Guard units in each of the States. The US Senate and House of Representatives could be populated by state-selected representatives from the state legislatures. The federal bodies would meet once or twice a year while the state legislatures are not in session. Likewise the US Supreme Court could be composed of representatives from each of the District Courts, which would in turn be made up of reps from the state supreme courts. These changes would greatly reduce the cost of federal government, thereby allowing Gov. Romney to accomplish a substantial reduction in federal taxes.

Carrying this theme one step further I would recommend that the US Presidency be filled by state Governors on a monthly rotation. This would give the state Lieutenant Governors a chance to step in and do something useful about once every four years. I suspect that Gov. Romney may not be ready to advocate this particular proposal but I am sure he will see the value of it when he gets to the Oval Office. It becomes awfully hot in Washington DC in the summer and there is no good place to drive your boat.